Santa Has Arrived!

Well, I'm not so sure it was because I was a good boy or not this year but Santa delivered a new set of coffee digs for me. The picture shows a La Spaziale Vivaldi S1/VII Espresso machine and a Macap M4 grinder. I am now in espresso heaven. I am also way over cafineated, having had several as I tune up the grinder and the machine. Happy holidays!

The Lights Are On!

One of the things I always look forward to at Christmas is the luminaries. That was a pretty new thing to me when Karen and I first moved down to Raleigh from up north. Somehow the dark snowless backgrounds make the lights stand out even more. I think they would lose something in the snow. Tonight was our neigbourhood light-up. Here's one looking down the road to Julie and Howard's place.

Big Things In A Small Package

Karen and I had the deluxe pleasure of covering the DKC Rally and Obedience trials last weekend. We had alot of fun even with the long days and late evenings. Some great obedience and rally runs - here is one of my favourites. A very enthusiastic Daschund.

Rocking On!

Well, I am back in Cayman Brac again. Finally getting around to doing a little rock raking. If you haven't done it yet it is a very religious experience - sort of. These rocks are the ones that came up on our beach during Ivan. That's how far behind I am on my raking. Anyways if you are ever up for a little R&R for you mind and spirit - we have plenty of rocks a rake and a shovel!

Christmas - What A Wonderful Time Of Year!

On my way to Cayman Brac today. Had a long layover in the Miami airport. It was made considerably more pleasant by a local school choir doing some caroling in the airport lobby. I do love Christmas!

Would You Like To Live Forever

Well, maybe not forever but at least a hundred years or so. These guys do. The Galapagos Tortoise. Not too much stress - just lay around and eat grass all day. Don't think Karen would let me do that:-)

A Keeshond MACH!

Oh do I love a nice cool sunny weekend at the trials. Had some terrific weather at the Agility Club of Chatham trials last weekend. Also saw some stellar runs including a MACH run by this great looking Keeshond.

Looking For Waldo

I love herding. Even though I own three golden retrievers. I am always amazed at the talent herding dogs display for keeping the sheep under control. That said there is always a few moments of uncertainty in terms of who is in control. Can you find the border collie in this picture? Thanks to the Piedmont Border Collie Association for a terrific herding weekend. Some terrific action and some great dogs!

Two Out of Three Ain't Bad

Well, Sunday was a bit wet - read very wet! That said we had great weather Friday and Saturday. Thanks to Teamworks for hosting the Youngsville trial. Always a great venue and terrific people.

Big Things In A Little Package

I love these little guys - full of "*iss and vinegar", all fired up and ready to go. Imagine a border terrior that was as big as a golden - wow! Thanks to CVAC for a great weekend. See you at Teamworks this weekend!

More Sharks

OK dog people I just have to get one more post in from our Galapagos trip before it's back to dogs. This one is from Darwin Island in the Galapagos. It is a picture of an 8 foot hammerhead with a lot more in the background. The female shows signs of mating scars from male sharks. I'm the one that normally gets the scars :-)

A Whale of A Shark

We have just gotten back from the Galapagos Islands and are getting packed up for the Central Virginia trial this weekend. Lots of great shots and a wonderful trip. This one is the head of a whale shark about 40 feet long. What a beast! I'll post a few more as we get time.

All Legs

Here is one from a couple of weeks ago. We have been so busy getting pictures out from our weekend trials and getting ready for our Galapagos trip that I hadn't got it posted. This is a Black and Yellow Argiope, a common orb web spider. Orb web means it spins a web like a circle. This is the female - which at almost an inch and a half is considerably larger than the male. I really liked the colors.

The Eyes Have It!

Thanks to the Gloucester Kennel Club for a superb weekend! I have always said - the eyes make the photo. I rest my case!

Horseshoe Bend

October is my favorite time of year to travel on out to the four corners. AZ, CO, UT and NM. We won't make it this year because of a great trip planned to Galapagos - stay tuned! Anyways here is one of Horseshoe Bend taken one early morning last year. The bend is just south of Page AZ.

Perseverance

Well a very very wet weekend at the Tidelands Agility Trials this weekend. Our hats come off for the Novice folks who perservered until the end. Seems like the dogs had a great time even if the handlers got a bit soggy!

Shot Out Of A Cannon

Well not quite but that expression came to mind when I looked at this picture of Cider coming out of a chute at the DKC agilities trials last weekend. That is one darn fast golden!

Here Comes The Judge!

Back from the Durham Kennel Club trials this weekend. We finally had some cooler weather and the dogs certainly showed it. Still there was definately some grumbling over the shorter course times. As the courses get tighter and the times get shorter we definately appreciate judges that can show us how it's done. Here's one of Blair Kelly running the course at Chatham a few weeks ago!

Worth A Second Look

A wonderful weekend in Gloucester, VA at the RDOC Agility Trial. A special thanks to Nelson and Emily for hosting the event. I saw something I haven't seen before - a bulldog running agility! Definately worth a second look!

Jumps Tall Buildings In A Single Bound

Continuing on with the superpup theme!